Trump did not rule out further reduction of the number of US troops in Europe

On July 7, US President Donald Trump, during a meeting with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, did not rule out that the number of American troops in Europe could be further reduced amid his disappointment in NATO.

"Let's see. I was very disappointed with NATO. <...> We (the United States - Ed.) invested trillions of dollars in NATO. For what? To protect European countries and others like Canada," he said.

The American leader clarified that the North Atlantic Alliance treated his country "not very well" when it refused to help in the military operation against Iran.

The head of the White House added that he had initially come to the NATO summit only because it was being held in Ankara. It was respect for Erdogan, according to Trump, that made him participate in the meeting.

In a single gap: Trump communicates with Europeans almost three times less often than Biden

Disagreements with Washington are already forcing EU leaders to look towards China.

On July 6, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance, Mark Rutte, said that Europe needs to have a realistic idea of the potential amount of assistance that it can expect from the American side if it continues to reduce its military presence. He said that a sound assessment of the situation would allow the NATO member countries to improve their strategy.

The next day, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Franken urged his European colleagues not to anger Trump in order to avoid complications in interstate cooperation. He recalled that without the United States, the alliance's members would not be able to ensure their own security on their own.